Books Set in Bookshops are magic.
Here are 21 books set in bookshops, or around bookshops each celebrating the love of books, readers, and the magic of bookshops themselves. Whether these bookshops are cozy, quirky, mysterious, or magical, each one brings something special to the story:
Books Set in Bookshops
1. A Year to Change a Life by Kitty Arthur
In a book shop in a beautiful English Village Trudie is challenged to change 5 lives in a year in order to inherit and keep hold of the bookshop she loves. Can choosing the right book really change a life ( and possibly also lead to love?)
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2. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
In a small-town bookshop, a cranky bookseller discovers new love and friendship through his interactions with customers and a mysterious package.
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3. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
A charming memoir of Hanff’s correspondence with a London bookshop that leads to a lifelong friendship. A gorgeous movie too!
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4. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
In a bookstore filled with secrets, a young man uncovers a mystery involving ancient books, a secret society, and digital code-breaking.
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5. The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald
Set in a small English village, Florence Green opens a bookshop, stirring up town drama and resistance.
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6. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Between life and death lies a library with books that let you explore alternate lives. A story about regrets, choices, and what truly matters.
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7. The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
After losing her job, a librarian moves to Scotland, transforming a van into a mobile bookshop and starting fresh.
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8. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
In post-WWII Barcelona, a young boy’s discovery of a forgotten book in a “Cemetery of Forgotten Books” unravels a dark mystery.
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9. The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs
After inheriting her mother’s bookshop, Natalie discovers family secrets that change her understanding of her past.
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10. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
A Swedish tourist travels to a small Iowa town, bringing a love of books that transforms the town’s residents.
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11. The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins
In a small Southern town, a librarian with the magical ability to connect people with the perfect books shakes things up.
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12. How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry
Emilia returns to her father’s bookshop after his death and finds herself building relationships within the town through books.
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13. The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
An introverted bookseller is thrown into chaos when she discovers a family she didn’t know she had.
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14. The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
In this surreal novella, a boy is trapped in a strange library and must navigate its bizarre, dangerous occupants to escape.
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15. The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin
A Paris-set romance about a bookshop swap between a small-town American and a Parisian that leads to new experiences and love.
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16. The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams
Four women in a small town find friendship through books and a shared mission to help those in need.
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17. The Bookman’s Tale by Charlie Lovett
A grief-stricken bookseller stumbles upon a rare book that draws him into a historical mystery across centuries.
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18. The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
Set during WWII, a young woman works at a London bookshop and finds solace and resilience through stories amid wartime.
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19. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
An author with a dark past invites a biographer to uncover her secrets in a sprawling, gothic mansion filled with books.
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20. Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley
In this early 20th-century classic, a woman buys a traveling bookshop wagon and embarks on a cross-country adventure.
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21. The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
This bestseller follows Monsieur Perdu, who runs a “literary apothecary” on a barge in Paris, prescribing books to mend broken hearts.
Final thoughts …. on these Best Books Set in Bookshops
This collection of Books Set in Bookshops are full of heartwarming characters, intriguing plots, and, most importantly, books! They highlight the unique power of bookshops as places for personal growth, discovery, and connection.
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Why do we like books set in bookshops so much?
1. Romanticization of Bookstores
- Bookstores are often seen as magical, cozy places where stories live and discoveries happen. They evoke a sense of nostalgia and wonder, which makes them an ideal setting for literary adventures.
2. Celebration of Books and Reading
- Stories set in bookshops typically celebrate a love of reading, which resonates deeply with book lovers. These books often feature characters who share this passion, creating a sense of camaraderie between the reader and the story.
3. Quirky Characters and Relationships
- Bookshops are portrayed as gathering places for unique and eccentric individuals. The interactions between customers, booksellers, and even the books themselves often lead to charming, heartfelt, or humorous moments.
4. Escape and Solace
- Bookstores represent a safe haven—a retreat from the outside world. They offer a quiet, reflective space where characters (and readers) can find solace, inspiration, or even life-changing epiphanies.
5. Mystery and Discovery
- Many bookshop stories incorporate hidden treasures, like rare manuscripts or forgotten letters, adding a layer of intrigue. This element of discovery parallels the joy readers feel when stumbling upon a hidden gem in a bookstore.
6. Meta-Literary Experience
- Books about books provide a meta experience, where readers can explore the power of stories and the importance of literature within the narrative itself. It’s like being part of an inside joke shared with fellow bibliophiles.
7. Atmosphere and Aesthetic
- The sensory details of a bookshop—shelves filled with well-loved tomes, the scent of paper and ink, the quiet hum of flipping pages—create an appealing ambiance that draws readers in.
What draws you to bookshop stories?
Further reading
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